If You Saw My Family At the Library

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Even though my family attempts to limit our entertainment purchases, we still enjoy entertainment. In the past several years we’ve found that we can still be entertained – for free.

By using our local libraries, we’ve been able to watch newly released DVDs for free. Our children can listen to kids’ CDs, yet the (oftentimes annoying repetitive) songs can be returned within a couple weeks. My husband catches up on his favorite magazines by borrowing them.

Using the library has done wonders in our minimalistic efforts – we simply don’t accumulate a bunch of stuff.

In the flesh

If you would bump into my family at the library, what would you notice?

For starters, I don’t spend much time there. I request all the materials I’d like online, and the librarians gather them for me to pick up. Ideally, I run into the library, check out my books, videos and CDs, and run out.

When my husband and children come along, we spend more time browsing. I take my son and daughter to the children’s section and they look for books they’d like to read and videos they’d like to watch. I end up checking out a stack of books and videos so tall that I can barely carry it.

A bookworm’s guilty pleasure

For me, a library doesn’t solely revolve around borrowing materials. Unfortunately, we have a bit of a drive to any library, so we don’t take advantage of free programming very often. My children love to participate in summer reading challenges, though.

I use libraries as places to donate old books and magazines that I’ve decided to purge. Several local libraries offer Friends of the Library book sales, where they sell used books – that’s where my used books go. I’m happy to know that my old purchases can help support the library in some way.

One library, in particular, offers a yearly book sale. Thousands upon thousands of donated materials are for sale for just a few cents a piece. Paperbacks for a dime? Hardback books for quarter? It’s this bookworm’s dream come true. (On the last day of the sale, they even feature bag of books for a buck – simply fill your own bag with the books of your choice and pay $1.)

While I may try to simplify my family’s belongings, books are one thing I love to collect. I love having books around the house, especially now that my children are learning to read. I have learned that I need to set limits during the annual library sale, otherwise I can easily fill my car’s trunk with book bargains. It’s great when it comes to reading – but not when I need to find room in my home.

What unique opportunities do you love about your local library? If I saw you at your library, what would I notice?

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